Things I Love

Spiritually:

General Conference talks in the early morning.

Temple (Taco) Tuesdays.

Laying in the grass on temple grounds.

Physically:

The feeling right before a kiss, when your noses are touching and you can feel him smile. 

The eyes of a truly happy person.

A solid hair braids (Shout out to Miss Rylie, my personal stylist.)

Everything in Between:

An Ice Cold NCMO from Sodalicious. 

Thrift Shopping.

Late nights watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

My List.

Every Girl is told to write a list of all the qualities we want in our eternal companion from when we are 12 on. So here's my list before my mission.

-Someone who can make me laugh
-A Return Missionary
-Hard Worker
-Intelligent Humor
-Ambitious
-Avid Learner
-Good Smile
-Loves Kids
-Lives his testimony
-Good Family (similar to mine)
-Can cook
-Likes to do the dishes
-Someone who can accept me in sweats and my hair in a pony
-Someone who is friends with my brothers
-Someone who loves God
-Someone who I can trust
-Someone who is adventurous
-Someone who can sing and be goofy with me
-Someone who will keep me safe

So Someone Shot Me...

So I'm serving a mission, if you haven't been paying attention at all during this blog. And my cute friend Megan Curtis, Oops! I mean Megan Engler took my pictures safe to say she's nothing short of Ahmazing! I loved everyone of them even if I do feel mega awkward sometimes! 

Hosanna!

"Just as our Redeemer gave His life as a vicarious sacrifice for all men, and in so doing became our Savior, even so we, in a small measure, when we engage in proxy work in the temple, become as saviors to those on the other side."
—Gordon B. Hinckley 

"In addition to temples, surely another holy place on earth ought to be our homes. The feelings of holiness in my home prepared me for feelings of holiness in the temple."

—James E. Faust

"I urge our people everywhere, with all of the persuasiveness of which I am capable, to live worthy to hold a temple recommend, to secure one and regard it as a precious asset, and to make a greater effort to go to the House of the Lord and partake of the spirit and the blessings to be had therein."

—Gordon B. Hinckley 

"Everything that occurs in the temple is uplifting and ennobling. It speaks of life here and life beyond the grave. It speaks of the importance of the individual as a child of God. It speaks of the importance of the family and the eternity of the marriage relationship."

—Gordon B. Hinckley

"What a glorious thing it is for us to have the privilege of going to the temple for our own blessings. Then after going to the temple for our own blessings, what a glorious privilege to do the work for those who have gone on before us."

—Howard W. Hunter

"Temples are places of personal revelation. When I have been weighed down by a problem or a difficulty, I have gone to the House of the Lord with a prayer in my heart for answers. The answers have come in clear and unmistakable ways."

—Ezra Taft Benson

South Dakota, Rapid City Mission

I get to serve for 18 months in this beautiful place. I'm so excited, words cannot express. I feel so blessed to be able and worthy to be His hands in the Great Work and the Glory. 

The Church is true! I know it! I live it! I love it!

Quote of the Day

We were not created for defeat, we were not created to fail, but to get up and Amaze. To gain Glory. Let us not forget our purpose, to find Joy in the Journey and Change the World. 

10 WAYS TO BE A BETTER VERSION OF YOURSELF IN 2014

1. START WEARING BOLD LIPSTICK

According to a L’Oreal survey, 75% of women believe that lipstick makes them feel more confident. That rings true for me as well. You can bet that I’m wearing a shade of red lipstick when I walk into a big presentation or client meeting. When I’m in a bad mood or feeling under the weather, MAC lipstick in Lady Danger is the first thing out of my bag. A girl can’t conquer the world without her lipstick.

2.    START ACTING THE WAY YOU WANT TO FEEL.

Pay attention to this one.  It will make a world of difference in your life. In her book The Happiness Project, writer Gretchen Rubin encourages her readers to act the way they want to feel. Kind of a different version of “fake it ‘til you make it,” but guess what? It works. When you walk into the office on Tuesday morning and have that “Oh my God, its only Tuesday” feeling, put a smile on your face. Maybe you start humming your favorite song. Act excited about that new project someone handed to you. Pretend like it’s Friday. Before you know it, you won’t be miserable anymore.

3. CALL UP A FRIEND YOU’VE LOST TOUCH WITH

We all lose track of time in our lives. Old friendships fall by the wayside. That’s okay, it happens to all of us. Chances are, you’ve forgotten how much fun you used to have with your old college roommate, or neighbor from childhood. So stop making excuses, call them up and meet them for drinks, coffee, or skype!  

4.GIVE AT LEAST 3 PEOPLE A COMPLIMENT THIS MORNING

Know what always makes me feel good? Making other people feel good. It’s part of being human. It’s why we spend so much time picking out the perfect Christmas present or birthday card. We want to make others feel good. Stop waiting for an occasion to do so. Make a point to over compliment people every day. 

5. MAKE EVERY HUG LAST AT LEAST 20 SECONDS

Scientific evidence tells us that hugs lasting 20 seconds are more are proven to increase levels of oxytocin (a happy hormone.) Additionally, women in particular experience greater reductions in blood pressure than men after their hugs, says one article published on BBC.  

6. PICK ONE ARGUMENT PER DAY TO “LET GO”

Arguing sucks. Often times, both people are usually left feeling worse than they did before the confrontation if not handled correctly. I think we all argue a lot more than we need to. In 2014, let’s try to pick our battles. Let your Mom’s nagging go. Forget that your roommate forgot to lock the door on her way out. Cut people some slack and address only the things that really matter. 

7. SPEND JUST 5 MINUTES PER DAY TIDYING UP YOUR SPACE

This is coming from someone who turns her room into a tornado every time she gets dressed to go out. Lack of organization causes stress. Think of how serene you feel walking in the door after you’ve done your spring cleaning, or after your cleaning lady comes? Commit to spending just 5 minutes per day tidying things up, and you’ll feel a lot better when you wake up to a clean house each morning. 

8. PICK ONE NEW OR DIFFERENT THING TO TRY EVERY MONTH

This doesn’t have to be something earth-shattering. Pick up a book you would never normally read. Go to Chinatown. Sign up for Photoshop 101 on SkillShare.com. 12 “new” things a year is not a hard thing to do but it will make you feel much more accomplished. 

9. HAVE MORE CONVERSATIONS WITH STRANGERS

This one might seem a little strange at first. After all, our mothers always told us to never talk to strangers. I don’t know about you, but I’m always the most touched when I get a compliment from someone I don’t know, or experience a random act of kindness from a complete stranger. I get a lot out of hearing someone else’s story for the first time. In 2014, I want to talk to more strangers. 

10. STOCK UP ON CUTE GREETING CARDS

Everyone wants to be more like that friend who always has a sweet card in her back pocket when you need encouragement. Who never forgets to send a note for a birthday. Maybe she’s the family member who always gets her Thank You notes out on time. I am so far from that right now it’s not even funny. In 2014, I’m going to stock up on greeting cards, so I never have an excuse. 

Huge thanks to http://www.thegoldengirlblog.com/ who wrote this and inspired me!